Moon v. Sun @ Corona Theatre – May 11, 2019

After having been together for over 23 years, Raine Maida (frontman of Our Lady Peace) and Chantal Kreviazuk have only now decided to bring their relationship to the recording studio and stage. While they have done some previously behind the scenes stuff like writing together for other artists or Maida producing some of Kreviazuk’s music, they have now made it official. They are together in life, love and music.

Moon vs. Sun is not a name which will bring much recognition. Whereas the names of the two who make up the duo do. If you are of a certain age (over 30) and a fan of Canadian music then Chantal Kreviazuk and Raine Maida are names you know. Starting in the 90s they both (seperately) had big careers. Now, after being married 20 years this year and having three sons together, they are truly working together. The result is Moon vs. Sun and the recently released album and documentary, I’m Going to Break Your Heart. While the documentary will only be available on Crave, iTunes and screen on a couple of Cineplex locations across the country later this month, the husband and wife undertook a cross Canada tour.

Montreal was the last show on the tour, so they had really had a chance to work out all the kinks. Though they have been together so long I doubt there ever were any. Even though there was on this evening. A sound problem with Maida’s guitar (which I never really heard) led to him swapping out guitars while his wife sang an unscheduled song from her catalogue, “Vicious”.

The banter between two was breezy, funny, enlightening, and gave plenty of background on the songs and their relationship. Maida is the introvert while his wife can talk for hours. Indicative of who they are on stage as well. When she is not looking at her husband, Kreviazuk is scanning the audience to make a connection there. Her husband spends most of his time with his eyes closed or bent over nearly in two. A real navel gazer. The guy does know how to write a lyric. But has always struck me as an intellectual in a leather jacket. Plus there is that voice. Ouf! Good as part of a rock band where the guitars, bass and drums can fill in the gaps. When it is just him, his guitar and a piano…well, thanks can be paid to the crystalline pipes Kreviazuk possesses.

Though I am sure she would never admit it, Kreviazuk is the heart and soul of this duo. Plus the one with the better voice and is an incredible piano player. Watching her play is worth the price of admission alone. I wager that she has one of the best right hands of any piano player in music today. And I have seen Billy Joel and Elton John live. Her playing is complex yet accessible. Full of life and melody.

Their 95 minute set was comprised of songs from their debut (weird to say) album along with several OLP/Raine Maida songs and Chantal Kreviazuk songs thrown in for good measure. In an interesting twist each of them took on the lead vocals duties on songs by the other. It was interesting to hear Maida sing “Wayne” and sublime to hear Kreviazuk take the lead on “Superman’s Dead”. There were also a couple of covers with a stripped down version of The Cure’s “Lovesong” as an encore being the best of them.

Opening act was Aphrose, another woman with a great set of pipes. Hailing from Toronto, this lady can saaaannnnnggggg! Her sound is old meets new. Plenty of soul and R&B stylings. She toured with Moon vs. Sun because Kreviazuk heard her on the CBC. One song was all it took. That was pretty much the case with this Montreal audience as well. Music fans here are great judges and they gave a big thumbs up to Aphrose.